The Delhi High Court on Tuesday directed residents of three jhuggi clusters near Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence in the Race Course area to vacate the premises within six weeks and shift to alternative accommodation allotted to them by the government.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia said that after the six-week period, the authorities could clear the land, if necessary, with police assistance.
The Court held that the relocation did not violate the applicable rehabilitation policy. At the same time, it made clear that the government would remain bound by its undertakings and earlier court directions concerning the availability of basic amenities at the DUSIB Colony.
The Bench also constituted a committee headed by former Delhi judge Manmohan Sharma to monitor the rehabilitation process and ensure that the amenities promised by the authorities are provided to the relocated residents. The committee will include representatives from various departments of the Delhi and Central governments. The authorities were directed to notify the constitution of the committee immediately.
The order was passed on appeals filed by residents of Bhai Ram Camp, DID Camp and Masjid Camp, challenging a single-judge order that had upheld their eviction. The three camps are situated near the Race Course area, with residents being relocated to a DUSIB Colony at Savda Ghevra in outer Delhi.
The residents had argued that shifting hundreds of families far from their existing homes would disrupt their livelihoods, children’s education and access to healthcare. They submitted that many residents work as drivers, domestic workers and labourers in central Delhi and that relocation could jeopardise their employment and schooling.
The Centre, however, defended the eviction on national security grounds, pointing out that the camps are located near sensitive military installations and an operational Air Force station.
The government also submitted that basic infrastructure, including sewer lines, water supply, parks and roads, was already available at the relocation site, with further facilities under development. It informed the Court that the government had agreed to bear the Rs 1.12 lakh beneficiary contribution ordinarily payable under the rehabilitation rules, while residents would be given three months to pay maintenance charges.
On May 11, 2026, the single judge had directed the residents to vacate the area within 15 days. While recognising that the rights to shelter and livelihood are protected under Article 21 of the Constitution and are closely connected with the right to life, the Court had held that relocation would not by itself violate constitutional rights where authorities comply with rehabilitation policies and provide adequate facilities.
While disposing of the appeals, the Division Bench modified the single judge’s order by extending the time available to the residents to vacate from 15 days to six weeks.
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